Fruit-pitting machine.



J. B. FOUTE.

1 FRUIT FITTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 26, 1910.

Patented4 A191230, 1912.

umm y lll,

J. B. FOUTEa FRUIT FITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2s, 1910.

Patented Api". 30, 1912.

hwy-19564.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. B, 390mm.V FRUIT PITTXNG MACEINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, 1910,

Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

4 s HEETs-SHEBT 3,

m26. @uw

J. B. FOUTE.

FRUIT FITTING MACHINE. APPLIOATION Hmm MAY 2s, 1910.

Aw T L E E 4. S T E E E S A.

JOHN B. FOOTE, O OAK IIEAR'K, ILLINOIS.

' FRUIT-PI'TTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 30, 1912;

Application tiled May 26, 1910. Serial N0. 563,610.

To allwhom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. FooTE, a

y Aresident of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit-Pit ting Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to fruit pitting machines and designs more particularly to provide an improved machine, wherebyy cherries or similar fruit may be pitted in large quantities and of the type which is best adapted for canneries where fruit-is handled in large quantities.

The invention designs to provide an 1mproved pitting machine of large capacity.

The invention also designs to provide improved pitting mechanism in which the-fruit will be positively centered with respect to the pitter-knife, so that despite any variation in size of the fruit, it will be centralized in position so the pits will `be removed by the knife. i The inventionalso designs a machine of improved construction.l

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

vIn the drawings: Figure l is a plan of a machine, embodying the-invention. Fig. lB is a perspective of the stationary support in the drum. Fig. 1b is a perspective of the die-carrier. Fig. lc is a perspective of the elastic-die. Fig. ld 1s a perspective of the slightly elastic strip beneath the elastic-die.

Fig. le is a perspective of the metallicdieplate. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 3a is a section on line :3u-3** of Fig. 2.' Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. l, the parts being shown .1n position assumed when the crosshead 'and p arts carried thereby have ybeen lowered. Fig. 4. is a similar View, parts being broken away, showing the parts in position assumed when the cross-head has been raised Fig. Il is a plan of the stripper-plate for preventing the fruit from sticking to the centering-sleeve. Figs. Ll: and 4d are detail sections of one ofthe yieiding bearings for supporting the rotary brush which cells from being over-loaded.

The frame-work of the machine is mount. ed on a suitable table or bed a and comprises end-frames b and b which are rigidly se- Aeach stroke of the knives,

prevents the cured on the bed. A shaft c is non-revolubly mounted and secured in lthe frames b, o byscrews 15 and extends between the frames. A hollow drum d is journaled on said shaft c and comprises end-members c', e2 and a periphery or cylindrical fac'e- 03 all rigidly secured together. The periphery of this drum is formed with longitudinal series of holes d, cl2, one alternate series being relatively offset or staggered with respect to the holes of the other, and these holes serve 'i as cells, each for individually receiving and carrying the fruit Vto the pitting mechaf nism.V For the purpose of increasing the capacity of the machine, two rows or series of 'pitter-knives are provided, corresponding to two series of cells d', d2, so that during series of' cells will be pitted.

The fruit is fed to the drum by an inclined chute 21 which has secured thereto brackets and screws 23 are `adapted to pass through segmental slots 21 in these brackets to adjustably secure the chute iii proper iafative position to deliver the fruit to the cells in the drum and to permit the chute to ce inclined more or less. The fruit, in bulk, is delivered into the chute, the bottom end of which is formed by the rotating drum, that as the latter is revolving, longitudinal series of cells will be successively brought into position to receive the fruit, which falls into the cellsby gravity. A rotary brush n tom of the chute adjacent the drum to agitate the fruit s'o it will fall into and till all the cells in the drum as they are successively brought into receiving position. A rotary brush 25l is provided between the chutev 2l andthe p'itter-knives and is driven in such direction thatit will dislodge one cherry from any cell, if perchance two small cherries should pass into it and will brush the extra cherry back into the chute. To rem der this brushing action more effective, the brush is ope-rateo longitudinally during rotation.A '..l'hel shaft 26 for brush 25 is mounted in bearings 27,'one at each end of the machine, and these bearings are each yieldngly supported by a spring 28 disposed in e housing 29, Jformed on the endframes 7). i/ tion the bearings 27 again'sta set-nut-30, so that by adjusting said nuts, the brush may be adjusted relatively' to the periphery of f the drum d. Brush-shaft 26 is driven by a 24 extends across the botthe fruit in t-Wo l 1espec-tively, and these springs posi-L,

` cured to one oif its ends,

gear 31, at one end of said shaft and said gear is driven hy ineehanifeni hereinafter Set forth. The hrush-sl'iaft is operated longitudinally during' ils rotation hv opponil'elv disposed stationary Caino' 32 and Bil on the endiraino L, livhieh refsjeel'ively engage Stnds and f3.5 on the ln'nsli-Slniit, so that during rotation of the shaft, the brush will be o ieraled lonnitudinalli7 haehr :and forih to eileetirely remove the extra cherries liroi'n the cells in the druni and hrush l'heni hach into the ,-hule 2l. Lviehling'ly supporling' the brush and its shalt, lhe hrnsh nniv vhe correctly positioned 'with respect to lhe drinn according to the Igeneral size of the herriey being' pitted. The agitator hrush 24 is monnled on a Shall' 24" .vhieh has Senear 2i, which is; driven as hereinafter o se ihed.

.The drinn inlerinillenl y rotated to sue eessively bring' two series o'lE cells` henealh the rows oi' piller-knivesl and to relnain slacured lo one end ot' the drn ing-run is adapled lo en;

"tionarvv during' the piltinn` operations. This movenieul'. is effected hy driving nier-hanisin, which roniprises a halit fill whieh is inounted in mul-frames b, o and is driven by a pulle;v 3T. dinions Il are Heeured 'lo said shall at the outer sides o'l lhe endl frames respectively, and each meshes with a gear-wheel 39 nhirh is' niounled'on the outer Iaide, ol' one ol* the eilfhirames, (lne of lhese n'earwvheels; is Seeured lo a Short- Shaft ll), ivhirh is jourialed in the end- 'rzune 7, and has seeured lo ils inner end, a dri\injpinion il Vlor lh(- druin. The other gear-wheel 3l) is lnounled on an idler-shaft 4Q whieh is journaled in the end-freine. l). The driving-pinion -Lll is provided with a stud or tooth :5 and i eoneenlrie loekinl rirn 4l, and lhe slud ,s adapled lo enter notches l5 in a rear-rim 4U, nhieh sen', and the lock-- nre correspondlngjl)l 'fornu-d riin-porionf -li ou Said l'ini. During earh rolalion ol' lhe pinion, salud fl?) will enler one oi' lhe notches l5 and rotaie the drunl one slop, or a sullieient din-lance to hrinn' lhe sueeeeding Series ol` cells in the drinn henealh the. pillenhnives and a'ller the drinn has heen lhus shil'led, the loelv'ving-rim flfl will engage a reeess LVi7 on the gear-rim 40 and loi-lv' the drinn against rotation duringV lhatperiod when the pitting 'operation oeeurs and lhe knives are ren'ioving the pils l'roni lhe l'rnil. This mecha.- nisln provide#y simple means l'or inler1nittently driving' the drum and looking it.

:The cherries' are held in the drain by a stationary support haviln;V a cylindrical well 50, which io', disposed in elose proximity to- This snp port also lorins a die-hed 52, and is adjustthe internal 'l'ace ol" the drinn.

ably nionnled on lhe fixed shaft c, byserews 58 which are secured in and extended into collars 54 on said shaft, and which exilend lhe deplh oi" lhe eellf-ry aerei-ding lo lhe general sine oll the rherries heineA pitted.

douille eeries ol nl'lenlinives /1 is )rol vided r n'respondinny in nuinher and arrangement lo a dnulile .Series oll VelinA in the drunn so lhal during ear-,h operalion ot pit* lerl nive.- all olI lhe l'rnil in a douhle Se* riesI ol' r-rlls, will he pil'led. These pillerlini'ves are dinpobed almve the druni and are rHel'ured hiv arrows '//""in a rens-head y, which is slidahlir niounled on Guide-rods y' Whirh aril .aei'ured in llnl e1nl-lrauies. Thin rrof 1-hezu| is reriproraled verlirally to operaie the piller-lvniverz liv piluien 5G which are pivolallv ronner'led al their upper ends, as al 37. lo the rros ;-ll':'ul and are opi-rm livelyv ronneeled liv wrislfpinhl 5b lo gear- \vheel.\# C35) ivhirh are continuously driven hy pinion 13S. lnrh piller-knife /i hanl ils `lo\\el' end /l rihhed and lorlned lo pierre lhe lruily and engage the pit and relnove il therelroln.

i'ruil-renlering sleeve (3l is disposed on earh piller-lolite and .in nlidahly mounted in lhe ross-head relalively lo the pillerlv'nile. heine' held in a 2L'uidelllllorlned inthe rroSN'ln-ad. The lower end oi' this Sleeve exlends norunillv helov.v lhe'lmver end of the hnil'e lo engage (he lruil in advance ol the lvnile and in provided with a llared nioulh lll. vvhirh ia adapled lo enter the eell in the druni in \vhi h lhe fruit is held and to posilively eenler it relatively lo the knife, so that despile irregularity,in the shape or size olI lhe l'ruil, il \vill he positioned so that when llu` hnil'e passers through il',r lhe pit will he disposed in the palh ol the lv'nil'e and he removed lherehy. i ain aware that it hanl herelol'ore heen the praeliee to provide a liared rell lor holding` a cherry during the piltilr;v operation, huly have found that hy supporting a cherry in a eell, independently oll 'the centering device, and 'forcing it against a supporled eherry or toward it, the l'ruil will, he ynusre ellfrelively centered deA spite varialion in' shape or size, whereas if lhe llared eleinenl is employed to support the iiruil, and the size and shape ofthe rherry are sueh as to prevent the cherry lr'oni Iieing' firmly .supported beneath the linil'e, the pit inay escape the knife. Furlherniore, when llared Cells are used in a rotating element, a high speed sometimes dislodges the eherrieis from the cells.. For these reasons, the firm support opposing flared centering deviee, which engages the cherries on lhe support and positions then] relatively to the knife, is an important feature ofthe invention. Each centering Sleeve weights desired. The die-bed- 52 is provided witli a longitudinally extending channel -65 in lwhicha die-carrier G6 is removably held. This die-carrier is provided with a longitudinal channel G7 in which the 'die-strips are held. A backing-strip It, strips z, h2, and a top-plate h are Superf `posed in the diejcarrier. The die-bed 52 and plate lz. are each provided with open- -ings centrally disposed beneath the knives and corresponding to a doubleA series of cells in the-drum, through which the pitterknives pass, and these openings are of'suficient size to permit the pits to pass therethrough as the knives eject them from the fruit. The elastic die-strip h2 is formed of thin live rubber and is provided with an opening Il. corresponding substantially to the shape of the knife and one for each knife in the series. Strip 'ti is formed of harder rubber and supports the live rub-l ber strip la. Said strip is provided wit van opening srmiewhat smaller than is necessary` Ifor the knife and pit,'so that the latter, in being forced through said opening, willbe separated from the pulp and fiber of ``the fruit. In practice, it has been found that thin elast-ie dies, such as the strip h2, in pitting machines, frequently become worn', the die-bed usually having an opening therein of sufficient size to pci-init the pit to therethrtiugh, so that the inwardly extending tongues, which fit between the ribs of the knife to hold the fruit, have no direct support. To overcome the necessity of frequent replacelne'ent of these dies, the rubber backing It is employed. A metallic backing-strip It* is placed beneath each of thev flexible dies, and has openings corre- `sponding in shape to the openings in the t. elastic die, so that metallic tongues 'h5 are provided. This backing-stripis' made of` springmctal, so that as' the pitA is driverr ...therethrough bythe knife, any pulp orl fiber adhering to the pit, will b e held back /by these tongues if the rubber dies fail to By these devices, the pits are sepahold it.

- rated cleanly from the pulp and fiber of the fruit.

A stationary stripiper-plate m is secured in guide-rods g an has holes m therein,

through which the lower'ends of the 'eentering-sleeve passV when the latter are lowered. Each sleeve (31 has slots m2 in' its lower end into whichj project, teeth m3 on the strippe`r-plate, so that when the sleeve israised out of the cell in the drum, the pitted fruit will be prevented from sticking in the flared mouth of the sleeve and caused to remain in the cell. The pitted fruitremains' in the cells of the intermittently rotating drum, and is carried `away from the dies'and delivered into a discharge chute -68 which conducts theni to a suitable receptacle,

being held against dropping out of the cells v by .a wall 50 on the stationary support in the drum. The pits removed from the fruit fall through the openings in the bottom portion of thc drum, and info a suitable receptacle beneath'the table a. Brush 25 i's driven by an idler-gear 70 whichmeshes with the gear 39 at 011e end of Ythe'xlnlachine and with pinion 31 -on the brush-shaft. Pinionl 24a on the shaft of brush 24 also engages idler 70. to drive said brush.

The operation of the improved machine Vwill be follows: The fruit to be pitted is dumped into chute 21. A'double series of cells d', (Z2 in the drum d will be simultaneously disposed adjacent the lower end of'the chute, so that the cherries will fall into said cells and be held therein by the stationary Wall 50 in the drum'. 'Rotating brush 25 will hold back the cherries in the i chute and sweep out the extra cherries, if any are held 1n the cells 1n the drum, and

the lower brush 24 agitates the fruit, so, it

will fill: the cells. The staggeredv or offset relation of the cells offonerow with respect j The drum will be intermittent-ly advanced step by step by the gear-mechanism, including pinion 41 and gear-ring 46. After a double series of cells j (1,', (l2, each with a, cherry therein,-has been `brought into position` beneath the pitterlkuives, the drum will be locked' against rotationandt-he cross-head g will. be loweredv iby. pitinen 5G and gears `39, which are continuously` driven, the drum being-advanced duringv that period when the pitter-knives and centeriugslceves have been withdrawn from the drum. As' theicross-head 1s lowered, the centerlngsleeve willientcr the i cells inthedrum and the eherrieswwillbe c'enttred'y on plate. It by theflared lower vterminals of said sleeves, inadvance of the knives. l'Vhen they sleeves arcI seated on the to the. next, will-facilitate the passage of the fruit into the cells.

cherries land the movement. of the crosshead i continues, the sleeves will bcarrested and the pitterfkniveswill bedriven through the i cherries, the lowerend ofthe knives engaging the pits in the cherries and forcing` them through `the openings in the plates and dies in the` drum. In `passing .through the elastic vdie z, 2,'backingstrip ha and theplate. h4, the pit will cleanly separated from Athe pulp 'nient in the eell l'or the cherry in the relis' and driven into the driiiu. During the reverse niovenient ui the cross-head, the knives will he withdrawn Yi'i'oiii the pitted cherries which will then be liei'd against upward iiioi'einent with the entering-sleeves b v t-lie stripper-plate in, and when the knives have been .iitlidrriwii, the sleeves and knives will be carried upward toe'eilier liv the Crossliead aud withdraw-ii i'roin the fruit iii the relis iii the driiiii. The drinn ivill tlien be aejaiii advaiieed a siiilieient distance to bring' the next double` loaded .series of cells into position beneath the pilier-knives. The pitted cherries will be in the Cells, until diseliare'ed i'roiii tlie drinn into eliiite tb' and the pits will drop through the eells in the lower portion ot' tlie drinn.

lt will iliiis be, seen that the in'iproved iiiai-hiiie is well adapted ior pitting large quantities of cheri-ieI and teeilingtheui Vtroni a hopper eontaiiiiug;Y the eheri'ies in bulk to :i grani;- otI .simultaneously operating pitterkniies and tliat thei'oiistriietion oithe ineelianisin is siirli that a inaeliine `may be driven :it high spee-l to inereasi its capacity ivitlioiii raus-ing the cherries to he dislodged from tlii` relis, and hv keeping' the drinn loeked li'v the gearaneehaiiisin whiehdrives it, there is no danger ot overthrow or i'ailiire of the several inei'flianisins ot the niaeliiiie to op erate synchronously. By providiugan abut and bringing` said abiitiiient and centering deviee together, the cherries will he inore aeeuiiitely. centered and disposed with re speet to the pilier-knives, despite variation in the size and shape ot the cherries, so that the possibilitir ot` a kniie passing through the fruit, without removing` the pit, will be effectively overcome. The improved brush for holding back the cherries in the chiite and pernoittingjonl)7 a single cherry to' reinain in each cell, also tends to inake possible the rapid operation of the machine to increase its capacity.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details shown and described, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended clainis, without departing from the spii'it and scope ofthe invention.

Having' thus described the invention, What I elaiin as new and desire to seeiire oy Lettersl Patent, is:

1. In a pitting machine, the combination of a drinn having series of cells longitudinallydisi'iosed therein, the eells of alternate series being' ott-set or sta gg'ered With respect to the eells ot tli i adjacent series, a receptau ele for eontaiiiingl triiit in bulkand disposed to deliver the fruit onto the drinn so that the fruit willifall into the cells as the drinn is rotated, knives t'or removing' the pits troni the iriiit in the eells, and mechanism 'for operating` said knives.

2. ln a ,pitting machine, the combination of a drinn having' series of cells longitudinally disposed therein, the cells of alternate and inei'ha'nisni i'or operatingl said knives.

il. ln a pittiiig-inaeliine, the combination ot` a drinn havin;l a plural series oi Celts therein, ineehanisin 'for rotating` the drinn, a plural series ot knives. the series ot knives heini;v in staggered relation to one another, the series ot Cells beine' eorrespondiiiglY disposed in the drinn4 a staiioiiariy die in the driiin through whiifh the knives pass, and ineelianisin 'toi operating the piiiral series ot knives to .--iiiiiiltaneoiisly reinove the pits 'troni cori-esitending` series of eells in theI drinn.

l. ln a pitting-inatliiue, the combination oi' a drinn having a series oi bottoinless cells therein` a stationaryY siippoit. within the drinn i'or holding|` the fruit in the Cells, pitter-luiives tor reinovine the pits troni the l'ruit in the cells, ineehanisin Vfor rotating the drin-n, and iiieehanisin tor operating` the knives.

5, ln a pittingraiiaeliine, the combination ot' a drinn having,` a series of botioiiiless cells therein` a stationary7 support 'within the drinn t'or holding' the triiit in the cells, pitter-knivesA toi' reiiiovine` the pits from the iii-uit in -tlie cells, nieehanisni t'onl'otating the drinn, ineelianisin t'or operating` the knives, and nieaiis tor delivering the fruit; to the cells in the. drinn.

t5. ln a pitting-inataiine, the combination of a rotatable drinn, a die-snpiiort therein, ineans for adjiistabllv sustaining the support to or vi'roiii the drinn, said drinn having cells therein, pitterdniives for removing; the pits troni the iriiit. in the eells,a die in the drum and earried b v said support, mechanism for rotating,l the driinn'and ineelianisin for operating the knives. i

7. vln a pitting-machine, the combination oi a rotatable drinn havingcells therein, a stationary support in the drinn, pitterknives, ineans at one side of the drinn for deliveringr fruit, into the cells, a stationary wall in the drinn for holding the fruit in the eells until it has been delivered to the knives, iiiei'lianisiii for rotating the drinn, and iiieelianisin fior operating the knives.v

il. ln a pitting-machine, the combination of a rotatable drinn having' cells therein, a stationary support in the drinn, pitterknives, ine-ans ai: one side of the drinn for delivering fruit into the Cells, a stationary Y 'all in the drinn for holding the Yfruit in the cells until it has been delivered to the knives,

a Wall within the drinn tor holding` the pitted fruit in the cells until it has beeny carried to the opposite side of the drunx, mechanism for rotating` the. drum, and mechanism for operating the knives.

9. In a pitting-machine, the combination mof means provided with a cell, a flaredelevabutment toward cach other.

v knife to pass through the fruit held between`l ment for engaging the fruit, a vsubstantially .fiat abutment for t-he fruit opposed to saild abutment, a pitter-knife, means for causing the pltter-knife to remove the pits from the fruit held between said' sleeve and said abutment, and means for bringing the sleeve and 11. In a pitting-niachine, the combination of means` having a cell therein, a substantially flatabutment for holding the fruit in the cell, a flared centering device adapted to enter the cell, a pitter-knife, means for operating the knife to pass through the fruit held between' the centering device and said abutment, and means for bringing the cenf tering device and said abutment toward each other with the fruit therebetween, so it will be centered relatively to the knife before thev latter passes through the'fruit.

12.In a pitting-machine, the combination of means provided with a cell, a substantially flat abutmentfor holding the fruit in the cell, a flared centering sleeve adapted to enter the cell, ,au pitter-knife extendingl through'said sleeve, means for operating the .bf means provided with a cell, a flared element for engaging the f1-uit, an abutment for the Afruit opposed to said flared element, a pitter-knife, means for operating the pitter-knife, means for bringing said abutment and said flared centering device toward each other, and means for causing the fruit to be stripped from the centering device.

14. In a pitting-machine, the combination of means provided with a cell, an abutment forthe fruit in the cell, a flared sleeve for engaging the fruit on the abutment, a pitter-knit'e, means for operating the pittor-A knife to remove the pits from the fruit, means for operating the pitterfknife through the fruit held between said fruit and said abutment, means for bringing the sleeve 'and abutment toward each other, and a stripper for preventing the fruit from remaining in the sleeve.

15. In a pitting-machine, the combination of means having a cell therein, an abutment for holding the fruit. in the cell, aflaredy centering device adapted to enter the cell, a

pitte1l{nife, means, for operating the' knife tively to the knife before the latter passes through the fruit, and a stripper for pre venting the fruit from remaining in the centering device as it is separated from the abutment.

' 16. In a pittinglnnwhine, the combination of means provided with a cell, an abutmentv for holding the fruit in the cell, a flared centering sleeve adapted to enter the cell, 'a pitter-knife extending through said sleeve, means for operating the knife to pass through the Afruit held between the centering device and said abutment,mcans for bringing the centering device and said abutment toward each other with the fruit therebetween, so it will be centered relatively to the knife before the latter passes through the fruit, and a stationary stripper for preventing the fruit from remaining in the ccntering device as it is separated from the abut-ment.

17. In a pitting-machine, the combination off-means having cells therein, a substantially flat abutment for holding the fruit in the cells, a yielding centering device adapted to enter the cells `to`center t-he fruit on said. abutment, a pitter-knife extending through` said centering device, mechanism for operating the` knife, and means for causing the centering device to move into the cell in advance of the knife.

1S. In apitting-machine, the combination -of a fixedsupport, having a substantially means for causing .the sleeve to engage the fruit in the cells in advance ofthe knife.A

19. In a pitting machine, the combination of a rotatable elementhaving cells therein, means within .said element for supporting the fruit in the cells, a centering sleeve having a flared mouth adapted to enter the cell to engage the supported fruit, a pitter-knife extending through said sleeve, mechanism for rotating saidelement, mechanism for operating the knife throughsald cells, said nplning ihnviin. :1 nwlziiiin diiI inningA :111

11; givni, the fruit from remaining in th snmve.

i245. in :1 11iii11g--nn1ci1ine, the combination ni: nimma provided vvih :1 ceii, :1 fi'l'ed eienwn im engaging and @entering the fruit, :111 nhnilnvni im' ihe ii'nii, opposed t0 Said lini'fsd vimnoni. :1 pilier-knife, means for hrinn'inn' 11id11i1111i1110nt 11nd said Haring ceninving devine ingrvihov, sind element. having :1 C1111 ihvwfin, und 1111111115 having an opening thou-in ihvnnnh which i'he Siceve is adapted in 1111s4 :1111i adapted in nxiund into said sint in fngngn i'heiinii A.1nd prevent it from renmininnv in the. sicovc 11S the iaiiei is Withih'zuvn f1n111 the ceii.

2T. .in 11 11iiiing-11n1ci1i1107 the @mnhiinition ni: 11 1h11n1 11i-iwi ied wiih veils, flared sleeves 

